Live Simply. Love Generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly.

It was almost enough to make me stop believing.

In 44 communities across the U.S., teenagers are competing for a spot on their regional teams in order to compete in Washington DC at the National Slam Poetry championship called Brave New Voices. Russell Simmons’ Brave New Voices is a new seven-part HBO series documenting the stories of six competing teams.

Last night I saw some of the HBO special “Brave New Voices” and I was inspired to give slam poetry a try.

Slam poetry is typically intended to be heard instead of read so I have recorded an audio version of my poem in addition to including the written version.

It was almost enough to make me stop believing

Defacto segregations

Emotional manipulations

Personal salvations

ALL the proclamations

I had taken the bait

Walked through the narrow gate

Learned what to hate

Was certain of my eternal fate

I could spew the roman road, so proud so bold, part of the fold, believed what I was told